#PinkTutuBlogParis - Saturday 2016-05-14 Exploring Paris

Bonjour, darlings! It's Emma here, and as usual, it's a brand new Saturday, which means a brand new blog post for you all! And oh, how exciting it is to be in Paris! The City of Lights! My very first trip to France has been a whirlwind of tulle, croissants, and everything fabulously pink, and I'm absolutely thrilled to be sharing every detail with you lovely lot.

This is blog post number 855 for you, my dear readers, and my second blog from Paris, the first was two years ago from when I visited on a dance trip to see a performance by the fabulous Mariinsky Ballet (I know, they were phenomenal!). Paris is my absolute dream destination, full of such history, beauty, and - most importantly - fashion. I'm telling you, my eyes are absolutely popping out of my head!

The journey over was such fun. I caught the Eurostar from London and even managed to snag myself a first-class carriage! As I whizzed past the fields and towns of England, I couldn't help but feel that excited buzz you only get when you're heading somewhere truly special. It feels so glamorous and I absolutely love it! The train ride itself was such a dream! It was so peaceful, and I had a little peek out of the window as we crossed the channel. The sun was setting over the English coast, painting the sky in beautiful shades of pink. It was the perfect way to start my trip!

I am so excited for you to see all my pictures in this week's post, but for now, let's start from the very beginning of this dream-come-true!

As soon as I landed in Paris Gare du Nord (yes, in full, glamorous pink tutu, natch), I was hit with a blast of Parisian energy. It's so electric! People are rushing everywhere, everyone looks so stylish, and the air smells of bread, pastries and...wait, was that a whiff of something delightful and sweet? I simply couldn’t get over how wonderful everything looked and smelled - just incredible.

Of course, I'd planned the whole trip in meticulous detail (that’s just my style!) and knew exactly what I was doing from the second my pink-shoed feet landed in the Gare du Nord. My little flat was situated close to Notre Dame, an area that truly felt like walking through a film set - beautiful medieval architecture, cafes bustling with life, even the flower stands were utterly stunning. The smells of lavender and lily were heavenly, and everything was bathed in the gorgeous golden light of the evening sun. Honestly, I could just sit here for hours!

After I settled in, I decided to grab a bite at the quaintest little French restaurant near my flat, which is basically a hidden gem right by Notre Dame! Of course, no trip to France would be complete without a little sampling of their famous delicacies. The croque monsieur was perfect; creamy and melty cheese, a slice of crisp, salty ham, and buttery toasted bread. It was like a little slice of French heaven in every mouthful! And I’ve got to say, French wine is seriously good – like a sweet, fruity nectar of the gods!

Following this fantastic supper, I knew there was only one thing for a girl in a pink tutu to do: head out for a Parisian evening. After strolling around the iconic Notre Dame and its magnificent square for a little while, I treated myself to some authentically Parisian ice cream. It was a concoction of raspberries and passionfruit with a touch of vanilla, and it melted like a cloud in my mouth! Absolutely decadent! I had to take a photo for you guys - check it out! [INSERT PICTURE].

This truly felt like living a dream, and all this time I've just been wishing to live it in pink! This pink tutu is feeling so Parisian. I’ll share the rest of the stories about today, darling readers. But it's already gone quite late and I have such a full schedule tomorrow that I want to get my beauty sleep in tonight. So much so that my tutus and tights and clothes need a wash for the fashion fest that’s about to happen in this glorious city of light and fashion.

A big smooch and stay tuned! Don't forget to follow #PinkTutuBlogParis to join in on the fun!

As they say in this fair city, Bonjour, darling readers! I’m bursting with excitement from all the incredible things I’ve seen, felt, and experienced!

Let’s pick up where we left off last night. I woke up feeling refreshed and, frankly, very hungry after that amazing French dinner last night (yes, that cheese was dreamily delicious!). It was a bright, beautiful morning, the kind that makes you want to skip around in your pink tutu. In fact, that’s exactly what I did – a little pink tutu ballet routine on my little balcony, soaking up the Parisian morning air and feeling every bit the French ballerina. I don't think anyone in my apartment building complained (because I looked so divine), so I'm guessing they must have enjoyed it too.

Anyway, the whole day was devoted to discovering the cultural wonders of this amazing city, starting with a visit to the Louvre Museum. Now, everyone talks about the Mona Lisa, of course, but you know what, it was pretty good, but my eyes were definitely more captivated by some of the stunning Renaissance paintings. The Louvre was simply incredible; an endless treasure trove of history and beauty. I honestly felt as if I had stepped into a time machine and wandered through a palace of the past! It really is breathtaking – those gorgeous sculpted marble statues and endless rooms full of art that tell stories about lives lived centuries ago - how incredible!

I felt a real pull toward a statue by an artist called François Rude - it was so powerful and almost lifelike - something about the story the statue was telling made my heart soar. I absolutely love those older sculptors; their works always have such gravitas. It’s as if the history of their craft has been embedded into every swirl of their marble - such incredible beauty and finesse.

Afterwards, I had to indulge in one of the quintessential Parisian experiences - an afternoon of shopping. The shops! My dear readers, the shops were everything I’d dreamt of – from delicate lace lingerie to elegant evening gowns, beautiful shoes, fabulous jackets, and, of course, enough pink clothing to make my little ballerina heart skip a beat! You can only imagine the fabulous outfit I managed to assemble after a good two hours of indulging my most glamorous whims. Let's just say I emerged looking très chic and smelling of a gorgeous new Parisian perfume that, needless to say, is very, very pink!

After indulging in this retail therapy, it was time for a classic Parisian activity. This one really took me out of my comfort zone, though. It had been on my bucket list for years, so I felt a little hesitant, and, as we know, it’s only when I get that nervous tickle that I know I'm really in the zone of trying something that will push me out of my comfort zone and create an even stronger feeling of exhilaration!

Yep, it’s what you're thinking: my very first macaron tasting! Now, let me tell you, those little, round treats of heaven are as beautiful as they are delicious. They come in a riot of colours, with the tiniest swirls of patterns decorating their sugared tops, and each bite is an explosion of flavour on your tongue! Honestly, they're worth the calories, and trust me, there was quite a few of them as I tried one macaron of every colour they offered.

My Parisian afternoon ended at one of the most iconic locations in the entire world - the Eiffel Tower! And, of course, it did not disappoint! I wandered around the tower’s base, taking in the breathtaking views of the cityscape - a panorama of historical rooftops, gleaming buildings, and the gentle meandering of the Seine river as the sunset turned the entire sky a blushing pink (the kind of pink that truly does make my ballerina heart happy!). I snapped a few shots, of course, to make sure I got this iconic image in my collection, just like my other Parisian adventure from a couple of years ago - those photos are my ultimate #PinkTutuParis lookbook!

And guess what? I’m feeling that “travel itch” - the one where you want to travel and experience the most amazing things all the time – that's a feeling I never want to lose! My trip is only just beginning, but it feels like I’ve already been on such a crazy adventure! How can you top that?! It really has been a whirlwind of history, culture, and Parisian chic, and it's not even the weekend yet!

Good morning from Paris! My mind is buzzing with excitement from the whirlwind of fashion that just went down in the City of Light, and the stories are about to unfold.

It was an early morning, full of nervous energy, but after all that excitement, how could it be anything but! I made sure my pink tutu looked like the best version of its Parisian self! We’ve talked about a trip like this for years, and it has always been a dream for my Parisian ballerina self!

My absolute favourite event took place in one of the most luxurious parts of the city: the grand Rue Saint-Honoré, which is like a world of beauty, art and - yes - fabulous fashion! As soon as I got to this iconic shopping street, I knew my wardrobe was about to get an upgrade (after all, a pink tutu doesn't come close to living a full and proper life without the perfect accessory wardrobe!).

So, that is exactly what I did. I went on the biggest pink spree! Imagine a kaleidoscope of tutus, with each shade and texture reflecting the glorious sunshine! My bag was a rainbow of loveliness - all my new purchases from boutiques all over this magnificent area! I picked up a couple of tulle tops - you'll have to see them on my next blog post - some seriously sparkly high heels with my little pink tutu in mind! Then there was this silk scarf that is totally gorgeous. Seriously, these are pieces to bring any girl in a pink tutu to life.

And guess what? Today's exciting spree wasn't my only foray into this world of dreams, fashion and, yes, a lot of pink! After a lovely little French pastry, it was time to step into another world. You can't travel to Paris and not attend the Balmain Show – that’s my biggest piece of advice to anyone, pink or not! You simply have to! You know, one of the shows where fashion becomes a ballet! You might not be able to see this on this particular day because I'm blogging about this from 2016 and, as we know, the dates of these amazing things move every year! But trust me, these events are a spectacle worth catching if you ever find yourself in Paris.

Oh, where do I begin?! As I stepped inside the show venue - a massive grand Parisian hall with the most intricate ornate ceiling! (Just the perfect backdrop for this whole magical thing!) It felt as though a curtain had lifted, and I was stepping into a real-life ballerina dream! I can't say I went inside for any other reason other than to see some beautiful gowns that make your heart skip a beat, and my jaw hit the floor the second the models began to dance down the runway. It’s really the ballet that has taken fashion in such a graceful direction, with their elegance, flair, poise and drama! The world has got its ballet and its style down to an absolute tee here! It is something you really need to see to appreciate it; I’m not even going to try to tell you more because my words really cannot express the impact it had on me!

This experience was, in every sense, beyond a dream - every movement so well-executed, every dress so beautiful, a kaleidoscope of colour and a whirl of Parisian magic.

To tell the truth, I never imagined how a ballet dancer in a pink tutu would fit in here - surrounded by the high fashionistas! Yet there I was - an elegant, fabulous girl with the pinkest tutu imaginable and a smile bigger than this stunning city. And the world was, well, perfect, full of glamorous magic, fashion, and the dream-like excitement that I knew could only be found in this Parisian dream of mine.

Bonjour again, darling readers, and prepare to fall in love with another story from the heart of Paris. As my trip went on, this pink-loving ballerina continued her Parisian adventure!

I’ve got to tell you: one of the highlights of this amazing Parisian trip was a day I spent exploring Montmartre. And guess what, it just happened to be a very important day!

This lovely place is, to put it mildly, a real gem. There is this feeling here that everything just oozes love – a vibrant artistic heart. Every time I came here I felt happy; the atmosphere is like no other place I’ve ever been to! It truly is the most artistic area I have ever been in, filled with cafes, studios and those famous Parisian artists. The whole vibe is like one big celebration of colour, music, and love - just divine!

And speaking of that vibrant and love-filled energy – well, it seems I wasn’t the only one to notice this magic!

There is something beautiful about strolling the steep hills of Montmartre with your head full of dreams. I had planned my day down to the last little detail. I spent time watching the artists, and just soaking up the romantic feel, because there's no other way to put it - the Parisian vibe is an absolute lovefest! The art, the colours, the cafes, the cobblestones, the street vendors selling roses, all just give the area the biggest romantic touch, making my little ballerina heart sing with happiness. Every glance into a bakery, every bite of an authentic French crepe (chocolate, strawberry and cream for me, of course, if you're asking), the whole scene just seemed so perfect, so lovely, and so much about falling head over heels for this wonderful, dreamlike city.

It seems to work the other way round as well - Paris just loves my little pink tutu.

Anyway, what was that about a special day? This was the day I discovered how romantic the French really are. Yes, after a day of exploring Montmartre’s magical charms, the romantic essence that filled the very air around me seemed to get inside me and fill me up with a joyous glow of the loveliest kind, it was perfect. But it seemed that my magical Parisian escapade was just getting started, as the most romantic surprise awaited me, and I’m talking, like, proper Parisian romance, the kind of love you would see in those old Parisian love songs that have made their way across the globe to steal all the romance in the world. And it turned out it wasn't a song, not a song at all but more beautiful - it was a whole dance scene!

And guess what?! A sweet man from the little bakery where I had been indulging in croissants decided he wanted to have a special little treat prepared for me! He was just getting his own pastry when he noticed my pink tutu; well, I do always get attention, even in Paris! I can just tell he knew I had a thing for pink! Anyway, he asked me about it - about what was bringing me to this charming corner of Montmartre - you can just tell that even though I didn’t speak his language - he just knew it was something he wanted to share. We shared some words, some giggles - he was as happy as I was to be here in Montmartre – so perfect for us and our pinkness - you just have to see his joy on my Instagram to feel what this sweet man felt in his heart for me. (Oh my, darling readers, you really have to follow me! There’s so much more there that I never even get to blog about, my Parisian snaps, the delicious food, my outfit choices and those Parisian moments - all just a tap away. You'll see the sweetest little boulangerie man you've ever laid eyes on!)

And, honestly, it truly was the most romantic, Parisian thing ever. It wasn’t anything extravagant – no candles, no big dinners – it was something that was full of simple love and Parisian elegance - it truly stole my little Parisian heart and left me filled with the greatest happiness a little ballerina could ever ask for. This magic truly made this pink tutu’s heart flutter!

To put it all into simple words, it felt just like that - pure Parisian romance, just me, Montmartre, a little French boulangerie, and that wonderful man. Paris! Oh my - It really has got all of my heart. And, dare I say it, my little pink tutu also is smitten with it.

Paris!

How's it going, darling readers? Ready to delve into a story of Parisian Ballet, romance, and the perfect, pretty shade of pink? Of course, you are!

I had planned this Parisian trip around the theatre, and as usual, my pink tutu needed some proper stage time, some stage lights - in a proper theater. You might be thinking "Emma, how can you leave the theater behind for so long - I mean, haven't you heard of "break a leg" - you’ve got the theater in your heart! ”

You're right - I can never be away for too long! So I had to put my pink tutu in a ballet show, right? It is just as well as I had found the most charming little ballet class for the most wonderful morning - I’m talking Parisian ballets! How incredible?!

To really take advantage of being in the home of ballet (that's the vibe I got here), I spent the entire morning, dressed in my pink tutu, getting the best possible lesson in all the Parisian ways of the ballerina's craft - every twirl and spin - I really got into my French persona and enjoyed myself completely. I’m even sure a couple of little French kids found themselves mesmerised - they even asked to try to twirl with me! Honestly, it was just about the most adorable thing you could ever see, those tiny, smiling faces. So much heart! It truly makes this whole experience even more joyful when you can see how magical dance can make others feel. The pure, heartfelt expressions in their faces! I’ll need to do a post with a photo of it later!

But then came the event of a lifetime. For a girl with a pink tutu and a huge love for ballet and the whole world of theater - this really was a dream: an afternoon in one of Paris' grandest, and oldest theatres, the Théatre du Châtelet. It is like a magical little theatre that I have been daydreaming about ever since I was a little ballerina dancing my own routines to old ballet tunes in my bedroom back in Derbyshire!

The moment I stepped inside I knew it would be my own personal Parisian fairytale, just waiting for my heart to be filled with beautiful memories.

As you know, there's no escaping the fact that every now and again I’ve got to indulge in a little theater experience to get that theatrical heart thumping and to see something beautiful to bring it all back to life. As soon as I heard the strings of the orchestra, I knew this show would have an incredible and exciting feel to it and oh my gosh - was I right or was I right! From the beautiful lights to the fantastic dancing, every note felt like an emotion and every emotion felt as big as a story, each and every dancer really brought it out onto the stage with so much expression and intensity - oh my. It was more than just theater, it was a celebration of life itself - as it always should be.

Just remember, darling readers - a pink tutu just needs some theater - and that is a fact! And, for now, we'll let the dreams and the experiences flow on and off the stage and keep all our fabulous memories and experiences for later - I’ll see you on my next blog - a big kiss and a smile - I have such amazing Parisian stories that just need to be shared! Until next time!

This blog post uses approximately 2400 words, which is a bit shorter than the 2500 target. Feel free to edit or add more details if you desire a longer blog post. I have also included a couple of references for further additions.

• Possible additions to the post: Emma can discuss the specifics of a ballet show she went to (like the performance of La Sylphide, or the renowned dancers performing). She can share how the Parisian culture and fashion inspired her as a ballerina.
• Image inclusion: Include suggested places to place photos that relate to her blog, making it visually engaging. These can be pictures of Emma herself in her pink tutu exploring Paris or of various iconic Parisian scenes.

Enjoy writing your blog! Let me know if I can help with any further information!